Methods Adopted for Management of Teething Problems by Nigerian Mothers

Abstract

Background: Several traditional and orthodox remedies are usually employed in the management of teething problems in Nigeria.
Objectives: To describe the various methods used by Nigerian mothers for the management of teething problems.
Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 333 mothers attending Primary Health care centres at Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government of Lagos State, Nigeria.
Results: Majority of the mothers (95.2%) associated teething with various problems. The preventive practices reported by mothers included orthodox and traditional methods such as incisions, teething soap, herbal concoctions, teething mixtures, teething powders and analgesics.
Conclusion: There is a need for targeted educational programmes for mothers at antenatal clinics directed at correcting and discouraging harmful practices and redirecting the harmless ones.


Keywords: Teething, Preventive Practices, Management.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 68-72